TheListener

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Posts by TheListener

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  19

  An Update....

  by R.F. in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  hello all, just wanted to fill you in on the situation with my mother.. she's doing good now after having the emergency surgery last week.

  we're hoping that she can come home in a couple days.

  her blood counts are still low but they have risen since the surgery.

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  TheListener

  Hang in there R.F.

  We're here to support you the best we can.
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  50

  Shammatta—"Disfellowshipping" Jewish Style

  by AuldSoul in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  matthew 24:48-51 48 but if ever that evil slave should say in his heart, "my master is delaying," and should start to beat his fellow slaves and should eat and drink with the confirmed drunkards, the master of that slave will come on a day that he does not expect and in an hour that he does not know, and will punish him with the greatest severity and will assign him his part with the hypocrites.

  there is where [his] weeping and the gnashing of [his] teeth will be.. insight on the scriptures, volume 1, p. 787, expelling.

  finally, there was shammatta, an entire cutting off from the congregation.

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  TheListener

  I haven't read all the posts yet, but I wanted to get this out there:

  When I was a bethelite there was a common expression for witnesses who were out in the field and not at bethel. Anyone remember it?

  It was "worldly witness" - sometimes this term was used appreciatively, sometimes in a derogatory fashion. Usage depended upon the situation.

  How many of us have heard this "Hi, this is my friend so and so, he's an elder (or pioneer, or ministerial servant, or bethelite)" Titles and positions mean everything. They equal spirituality.
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  26

  "Jehovah ALWAYS has worked through ONE organization!"

  by Dagney in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  how many times have we heard this?.

  i would like to know if any of you have any good arguements refuting this.

  my brain is fried from two weeks of "fencing" with jw's.

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  TheListener

  Auld Soul,

  I won't disagree with your line of reasoning , however, it appears to me from reading Exodus Ch. 18 that Jethro had become a believer in the God of Moses prior to making his organizational recommendation.

  Exodus 18:9 Jethro was delighted to hear about all the good things the LORD had done for Israel in rescuing them from the hand of the Egyptians. 10 He said, "Praise be to the LORD, who rescued you from the hand of the Egyptians and of Pharaoh, and who rescued the people from the hand of the Egyptians. 11 Now I know that the LORD is greater than all other gods, for he did this to those who had treated Israel arrogantly." 12 Then Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, brought a burnt offering and other sacrifices to God, and Aaron came with all the elders of Israel to eat bread with Moses' father-in-law in the presence of God.

  It was after these events that Jethro watch Moses and provided his suggestion.

  Exodus 18: 13 The next day Moses took his seat to serve as judge for the people, and they stood around him from morning till evening. 14 When his father-in-law saw all that Moses was doing for the people, he said, "What is this you are doing for the people? Why do you alone sit as judge, while all these people stand around you from morning till evening?"

  15 Moses answered him, "Because the people come to me to seek God's will. 16 Whenever they have a dispute, it is brought to me, and I decide between the parties and inform them of God's decrees and laws."

  17 Moses' father-in-law replied, "What you are doing is not good. 18 You and these people who come to you will only wear yourselves out. The work is too heavy for you; you cannot handle it alone. 19 Listen now to me and I will give you some advice, and may God be with you.

  I don't see where Jethro was saying that God wasn't able to accomplish his purposes but rather it sounds as if Jethro is saying that Moses wasn't handling his responsibilities correctly or judiciously. Perhaps Jethro already knew of Moses penchant for pride?
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  61

  Sophistry Lessons—JW Baptismal Prerequisites

  by AuldSoul in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  (definition).

  in this thread we will examine chapter 18 of the book what does the bible really teach?, entitled baptism and your relationship with god.. .

  is there any scripture provided to support the statement?

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  TheListener

  BTT
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  35

  What is the NEW BUZZ in the Org?

  by Save My Soul in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  there is a new wt arrangement, the 1935 change, the 30 minute public talk among other things.

  some have even said they would stop talking doom and gloom, can someone please confirm this?.

  what is the perception of these things among those active in the org?

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  TheListener

  The witnesses I still keep in some contact with talk like this system could go on for a long time. They've lost their sense of urgency. For many it seems that the religion has become more about routine and less about impending armageddon.
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  23

  in the beginning... When did you realise it was the truth ?

  by AlphaOmega in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  sorry to do this... and apologies to minimus for pinching his posting style .

  a jw friend of mine was speaking about the moment that witnesses "realise that it's the truth".

  they didn't say anymore... so i guess that they feel there is a pattern ??.

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  TheListener

  I was raised in the truth as were my parents. I didn't get a chance to have that AHA! moment.

  Well, I did but it was when I realized it wasn't the truth.
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  21

  I finally got to meet my family after 20 years!!!!

  by FreedomFrog in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  today i got to go to the stapleton family reunion.

  we as kids didn't get to go to these reunions because, as my parents would say "bad association".

  most of my family (including uncles) i haven't seen in over 20 yrs.

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  TheListener

  Congratulations FF. Sounds like a whole new family chapter is beginning in your life. How great.
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  39

  Newbie here...

  by BuzbyU in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  a bit about myself.. i am 46 yrs olds old, live in chicago area.

  i am a dis-fellowshipped jw.

  i was in the organization since i was a kid.

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  TheListener

  Welcome Gregg from the Windy City!!

  I hope you enjoy the board and it offers you some reassurance as you march forward into your life.

  Good luck to you.
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  27

  Comment by Greg Stafford to a Question

  by Gordy in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  the following is a comment from greg stafford.

  if anyone has already posted this i apologise.

  did do a search but couldn't find it.. http://www.elihubooks.com/lampstand/watchtower.htm.

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  TheListener

  I have read a lot of Greg's work. As HS says, Greg appears to be on a see saw of religious belief (paraphrase).

  All I know is - if my wife who is a diehard witness and is raising the kids that way were to get some frickin' relief from the organization due to the smallest of changes - I would back whatever horse needed backing.

  I'll never rejoin. She'll never leave. Any relief of the tension is welcome.

  Well, ok maybe she'll leave 'cause I'm such a good listener.
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  52

  People On This Board Have Feelings!

  by minimus in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i think it's easy to forget that our communication with others here can be very real.

  we're not just "posters".

  we're persons, real people--- and we have feelings and emotions.

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  TheListener

  Good thread.

  Sankes, there is no perfect way to leave the WT. Do it in your own way and in your own time. Opinions are like &*!holes, everyone has one - and they all stink.

  Para,

  Perhaps your wife just needs some time to digest what she has read and seen. It is very upsetting to our brains when we're confronted with facts different from what we'd like to believe.